Student Spotlight

Zoya Sandhu, OMS I

Clubs and Activities: Member of Medical Students Advocating for Underprivileged Populations (MSAUP) and Women in Medicine Club.

Why did you choose RVUCOM? I chose RVU because of the amazing board scores. I feel like I will be completely prepared for whichever...Read More

Faculty Spotlight

Cheryl McCormick, PhD

Associate Dean for Integrated Curriculum
Professor of Physiology

Hometown: Reidsville, NC

Undergraduate Studies: Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Salem College. Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from Medical College of Virginia.

Graduate Studies: Doctor of Philosophy degree in Pharmacology/Physiology and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Chemistry from Wake Forest University.

What classes do you teach? I teach Renal I and II, and IHL I. Why did you choose to...Read More

Get to Know Colorado

Douglas County is a mix of rural and suburban areas, village centers and open spaces. With a population of over 41,000 in the city of Parker and approximately 70,000 in the surrounding areas, Parker boasts an extensive biking/jogging trail system, recreational facilities, dining and entertainment, and a wide variety of arts and community events held throughout the year. Douglas County has excellent schools and offers open enrollment, charter schools and other special programs.

The Mile High City

Nearby downtown Denver offers eclectic dining, music, recreational and cultural activities. Denver also has the largest bike path network of any urban area in the nation and the largest city park system in the U.S. with 200 named parks in the city and 14,000 acres of parkland in the mountains. Skiing, snowboarding, hiking and camping are within an hour’s drive of Denver. Denver is also a top spectator sports city with eight professional teams. There are statewide festivals and events presenting arts, music, sports and culture including the state fair, music festivals of different genres, outdoor concerts and plays. Denver has a semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons. Denver is located on the Great Plains, and the weather of the city and surrounding area is generally milder compared to the mountains to the west and the plains farther east.

City Links

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is in western Colorado. It surrounds part of a deep, steep-walled gorge carved through Precambrian rock by the Gunnison River. Roads and trails along the north and south rims have views of the Black Canyon’s dramatic drops and the striated Painted Wall cliff.

Castlewood Canyon State Park

Castlewood Canyon State Park is near Franktown, Colorado. The park retains a unique part of Colorado’s history, the remains of Castlewood Canyon Dam. Visitors can still see the remnants and damage from that dam which burst in 1933. Also contained within the park is the historic Cherry Creek Bridge.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado spans the Continental Divide and encompasses protected mountains, forests, and alpine tundra. It’s known for the Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road, drives that pass aspen trees and rivers. The Keyhole Route, a climb crossing vertical rock faces, leads up Longs Peak, the park’s tallest mountain.

Cherry Creek State Park

Cherry Creek State Park consists of a natural prairie environment with an 880-acre reservoir at its center which is shared by powerboats, sailboats, and paddle craft. A large imported-sand swim beach is situated on the north-eastern side along with ample parking. The park has 12 miles of paved roads and 35 miles of multi-use trails open to runners, cyclists, and horseback riders.

Golden Gate State Park

Golden Gate State Park is a serene mountain escape 30 miles west of Denver. The park features 152 primitive and electric campsites, six cabins, two yurts, group camping and one horse-friendly guest house. There are 35 miles of trails, some are multi-use and some are for hikers only.

The Ridge at Castle Pines North

The Ridge at Castle Pines North, located just south of Denver, Colorado is an award-winning example of Tom Weiskopf’s fluent, well-proportioned layout that present players with roomy fairways, sculpted bunkers, and large, rolling greens.

Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club

Golf Digest described Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club as “one of the best places to play in Colorado.” Designed by Arthur Hills, the links-style 18-hole championship course makes use of the dramatic elevation changes, native areas, panoramic views and wide, accommodating fairways to appeal to players of all levels and ages.

16th Street Mall

The Mall offers Denver’s best people watching. There are 42 outdoor cafes along the Mall, making it the perfect place to grab a bite to eat or have a drink. Denver Pavilions, near the south end of the Mall, is a shopping and dining complex with 12 movie theaters and more than two dozen shops and restaurants.